Cimmerian Shade: A Limited Edition Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Collection

by Kiki Howell

  “Then...”

  “Why the ropes?” Cassie guessed the unasked question. She gestured halfway toward the bed and took a deep breath; words tumbled rapidly from her lips. “I want you to forego the transition and allow me to banish you again.”

  “What?” Remy bellowed, lunging forward. Her lashed arms remained immobile, bound to the headboard slats. Remy snapped her teeth, snarling. “How could you ask that of me? For the first time in my life I am going to finally belong somewhere and you want to rip that away, cursing me to a lifetime of loneliness.”

  Cassie hovered closer, perching on the edge of the bed. Her blues eyes glassy and red-rimmed. “Remy, you could die,” she whispered.

  “No one has ever died,” Remy scoffed.

  “Penelope Starling did,” volleyed Cassie. “She passed out in the middle of class and never awoke from the coma.”

  “How old was she?” Remy questioned uneasily.

  “Fifteen.”

  Remy studied Cassie carefully, digesting her words. “How would you stop the transition?”

  “I have Mother’s book; I can perform the ritual exactly as she did,” she smiled smugly at Remy, proud of her abilities. “I have been practicing.”

  Biting her lip, Remy glanced away, fighting the lump growing in her chest. “But I won’t ever see you or Grandfather or Sebastian again.”

  “I am not too concerned about the last part of your complaint,” replied Cassie, calmly.

  “Cassie, I cannot; I will not. I have a chance to be normal, to be accepted. How can you ask me to give that up?”

  “What about the mysterious person who massacred your parents, not to mention the other prominent coven families?”

  Remy shrugged bravely, ignoring the knot in her stomach. “Grandfather is unconcerned.”

  “Grandfather did not share his consternations with you, Remy,” answered Cassie, softly.

  “But he explained them to you?” Remy retorted acerbically.

  “Of course not,” scoffed Cassie. She rolled her eyes at the absurdity.

  “Then why do you think I am still in danger?”

  Cassie leaned forward, whispering. “There are two guards stationed outside the bedroom door,” she paused dramatically, “right now.”

  Remy raised her eyebrow questioningly. “Who?”

  “Drew, at Grandfather’s request, and Allister.”

  “Why does that name sound familiar?” Remy wracked her brain trying to remember why the name struck a chord in her mind.

  “Allister is a guard, assigned to you since birth.”

  Remy shook her head; a light exploded in her head. “He drove me to the airport,” she exclaimed.

  “He was also on your flight,” admitted Cassie, reluctantly.

  “What?” The word exploded from Remy’s mouth. “Is there any decision that was not made for me?”

  Cassie, contrite, glanced down at her hands. “Everything done was for your protection,” she asserted, peeking up at Remy through her lashes.

  “And Sebastian?” Remy reluctantly pressed, hesitantly. “Was he part of the plan too?”

  “Neither Grandfather, nor myself had anything to do with Bastian or your accidental introduction.”

  “There are no accidents.” Father’s words tumbled from Remy’s lips; she automatically repeated his cadence.

  Cassie smiled at the memory; two little girls clustered around their father’s feet, staring at a broken vase. “You are correct, Father,” answered Cassie, her eyes half-closed.

  “Sebastian and I met for a reason,” Remy continued.

  “You met because I removed Mother’s enchantments,” countered Cassie, “and I can put them back again. I do not need your permission to banish you.” Cassie’s eyes glowed brilliantly.

  Remy glared back, matching Cassie’s intensity. “You do not get to dictate my life! I make my own decisions and I am staying. I want to know why Sebastian was thrown in my path.”

  “Sebastian is trouble,” growled Cassie.

  “So are you,” retorted Remy. “Now, either support me or get out of my way, Cassandra.” Angrily, she ripped her arms from the ropes lashing her to the headboard; they fell away, hanging limply. Cassie sighed, shrinking in stature as the light faded from her beautiful blue eyes. She sank onto the mattress with a sob. “What will I do if I lose you too?”

  Crawling to her side, Remy wrapped her arms tightly around her sister. “I will not leave you.”

  “Promise?” A tear slid down the side of Cassie’s face. “You are the only sister I have.”

  “I swear.” Remy’s eyes locked on Cassie’s glossy eyes; Remy held up her hand. “Sisters, forever,” she declared, invoking a childhood promise from their youth.

  “Sisters, forever,” replied Cassie, firmly, placing her hand against Remy’s.

  “I guess that means I won’t be able to push you around anymore.”

  Remy grinned. “It’s about time.”

  A knock interrupted their discussion. Rising, Cassie padded across the floor. She inched open the door, peering around the edge, and hissed several soft words at the intruder. Accepting a package, she quickly slammed the door, returned to the bed.

  “What is that?” Remy craned her neck to stare at the white box.

  “A gift from Sebastian,” exclaimed Cassie warily as she lifted the lid. Lilac gossamer flowed out of the sides.

  Touching the silky material, Remy brushed her fingers along the hem. “It’s beautiful,” she gushed.

  Rising from the bed, Cassie lifted the dress from the box and gasped. A second gown waited beneath the first. “Sebastian does not to decide what I wear,” she announced churlishly.

  “Don’t be so stubborn, Cassie. It’s just a dress.”

  “It’s pink.”

  Remy snorted. “I told him it was your favorite color.”

  Frowning, Cassie lifted the second frock and held it against her body; the pastel material shimmered elegantly. She rolled her eyes. “It’s not even a whole dress,” she disparaged, clucking to herself, “of all the ridiculous outfits to choose from, he selects the most translucent cloth.”

  “At least he thought of you too,” teased Remy, unable to hide her grin.

  Pursing her lips, Cassie glared at Remy as she caressed the soft cloth. “I suppose he has excellent taste.”

  “Would you like to send it back?” Remy suggested unenthusiastically.

  “No, it would be impolite to reject his gift, even if the color is deplorable” sighed Cassie. “I suppose we are even for the panties now.”

  “Not even close,” retorted Remy, rising from the bed. She turned, fingering the frayed cords hanging from the headboard. “Where did you get those ropes anyway?”

  “Sebastian,” shrugged Cassie. “Apparently, he has a collection of them.”

  Chapter Six

  “WOW,” REMY WHISTLED under her breath as she descended the staircase, careful not to catch the heel of her shoe in the delicate dress hem. A cloud of sheer silk floated around her. She shivered; Sebastian’s choice of clothing, although quite elegant, left her trembling and exposed. Self-consciously Remy tugged at the lavender material.

  Decorating the Ayers’ foyer, and extending down the hallway in symmetric fashion, high strung chandeliers flickered, illuminated by hundreds of candles. The light reflected off several hallway mirrors, casting a shadowy, magical glow.

  “Yes,” Cassie answered curtly, also cautiously traversing the staircase. She gathered a portion of her flimsy frock, gingerly lifting the hem. “Their parties are always stunning.”

  “Are they usually this extravagant?” Remy whispered; her nervous voice echoed down the empty corridor.

  “The Ayres wealth is unsurpassed on the island.”

  “Why does that sound like an accusation?” Remy asked suspiciously.

  Cassie exhaled slowly, firmly placing her heeled feet on the foyer tile, before turning her attention to Remy. “Money does not define the man.”

 
; “Careful, Cassie, that resembled a compliment,” Remy smirked.

  “It certainly did. Cassandra, I am surprised by your magnanimity.”

  Sebastian’s deep voice floated across the foyer and brushed lightly through Remy’s hair. She shuddered; a stupid grin stuck danced across her face.

  “I wish you would stop that,” Cassie hissed.

  “I cannot control it,” Remy mouthed back.

  “Of course, you can,” snapped Cassie in irritation, turning to greet Sebastian with a pasted smile.

  Clothed in a dark gray three-piece suit, Sebastian’s exuded roguish sophistication. He glided down the stairs; his brilliant eyes gleaming in the moonlight streaming in from a nearby stained-glass window. Cassie allowed him to brush a light kiss on her cheek. Remy offered her cheek as well, but Sebastian spun her swiftly, dipping her low; his lips touched her mouth instead. Righting her immediately, he stepped out of Cassie’s reach before she reacted; a smug grin danced across his face.

  “Ladies, you look gorgeous this evening.” Sebastian bowed low. His hungry eyes traveled the length of Remy’s form-fitting dress. “I do not believe either of you have had the pleasure of meeting my brother, Rowan,” he murmured.

  A man, two years older than Sebastian, appeared in the hallway wearing a similar suit and blood-red tie. Rowan nodded to Sebastian, as if summoned by the mention of his name. His white-blond hair, a shocking difference from Sebastian’s sandy color, flowed over his wide shoulders like a river.

  “The lovely Vasile sisters,” Rowan announced with a welcoming smile, lifting Remy’s hand to his lips and then Cassie’s in quick succession. “The rumors of your beauty are true; how refreshing.”

  “Thank you,” murmured Remy, glancing at Cassie oddly, who remained frozen, staring at her back of her hand as though Rowan burned it.

  Sebastian watched the exchange wordlessly; a smirk flashed over his face. Remy cocked her head at Sebastian, asking an unspoken question. He smiled widely once more - an impish grin of delight - shook his head.

  “Rowan, if you would escort these ladies to the festivities, I must attend to some last-minute details before I can rejoin you.”

  “Certainly,” smiled Rowan, “it would be my pleasure.” He offered his arm; Cassie slipped hers through immediately and glanced back at Remy, expectantly. She repeated Cassie’s action, gently clasping Rowan’s empty arm.

  Rowan swept them through a maze of corridors, babbling about the various pictures dotting the walls as they wandered deeper into the house. When they passed under a wooden partition, the hallway widened, spilling into an open atrium; birds of all species chirped a greeting.

  “My little project,” he announced proudly.

  “Amazing,” breathed Cassie, wandering into the center of the room. Around her, birds sang an unwritten melody. Cassie raised her head and warbled a few notes. The birds repeated the sound, copying Cassie’s pitch.

  “Where did you find all these birds?” Remy asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the sonata.

  “Brazil, South Africa, all over the place.” Rowan grinned sheepishly. “I travel a lot.”

  “A complaint our father echoes every time Rowan returns home from his latest adventure,” added Sebastian’s deep voice from the entryway; Remy shivered. He approached their group quickly, slipping his arm around Remy’s waist.

  “You look mouthwatering,” he whispered against her neck; Remy’s breath caught. Arching her neck, she pressed into his body. His mouth wandered over the exposed skin between her shoulders.

  “Brazil is one of my favorite places,” revealed Cassie, oblivious of Sebastian’s subtle seduction. “Where else have you visited?” she asked Rowan, her curious eyes shone brightly.

  “There is not a continent my feet have not touched,” replied Rowan; he puffed his chest at the statement and extended his arm again. “Would you like to see some of the photos?”

  “Yes,” gushed Cassie. She slipped her hand into the crook of Rowan’s elbow again and took one step. Reluctantly, she paused. Her shrewd grey eyes assessed Sebastian, debating. “Will you be alright?” she asked Remy, pointedly.

  Sebastian tightened his grip around Remy’s waist; she trembled under his possessive touch. “She is with me.”

  Cassie’s eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth, however Rowan interrupted quickly. “I am certain Bastian would never do anything to compromise your sister’s good character.”

  He nodded once to Sebastian and exchanged a shared grin. Without allowing Cassie the opportunity to retort, Rowan spun her wildly in a half circle and escorted her from the room. His booming voice echoed down the hallway. “Are you an adventurer too?”

  Sebastian’s fingers caressed a blazing path up Remy’s spine. “I have been waiting all day for you.”

  “Have you?” she answered, distractedly, watching the empty hallway into which Cassie disappeared.

  “Are you worried for your sister?”

  Remy nodded, turning to meet Sebastian’s burning gaze; his eyes melted into sapphire pools. “Rowan seems nice,” she stated cautiously.

  “He is,” replied Sebastian. He edged closer, wrapping his second arm around Remy’s waist, holding her flush against his body.

  “That is too bad; Cassie will eat him for dinner.”

  Sebastian laughed and pressed his lips against Remy’s ear. “Your concern for my brother’s wellbeing is misplaced.”

  “How so?” she swallowed, unable to ignore the growing flutter in her stomach.

  “Rowan deplores being tied down; he cannot stay in one place too long. It makes relationships difficult and short-lived.”

  “That sounds just like Cassie,” Remy murmured with a shiver.

  “Did you enjoy my bed?” rumbled Sebastian; his wicked mouth languidly moved from her ear to her jaw, trailing a line of burning kisses along her skin, until he reached the corner of her mouth. He lightly sunk his teeth into her bottom lip.

  “Sebastian,” Remy moaned, pressing her body into him. His arms tightened, lifting her in the air. The hand across her back slid lower, cupping her butt and pulling her roughly against his growing erection. Automatically, her legs tightened around his hips. He crushed his mouth to hers; his tongue pressed forward, plunging past her lips. She returned his passionate kiss until they broke apart breathlessly.

  “As much fun as this would be, perhaps we should move somewhere a bit more private,” Sebastian murmured huskily. Remy attempted to unwrap her legs from his waist, but Sebastian’s grip stiffened, his fingers drifted over the exposed skin on her thighs. “I like your current position.”

  “I don’t,” a cold voice echoed through the atrium. Elegantly swathed in black, a raven-haired woman emerged from the far side of the atrium. Shadows stretched along the floor in front of her, like a macabre carpet, as if she walked on the darkness itself.

  “Good evening, Sebastian,” she purred. Her eyes traveled critically over their entwined limbs. “New girlfriend? I would love an introduction; I’m always intrigued to meet one of your flings.”

  Sebastian set Remy carefully on her heels and turned with a forced smile. “Malina Hargrove, I would like to introduce you to Remina Vasile.”

  Malina raised a delicately penciled eyebrow. “Cassandra’s sister? How delightful,” she approached with a venomous smile, her hand outstretched. She grasped Remy’s fingers and forcefully yanked; Remy flew forward.

  “I heard you were undeveloped,” Malina sneered, “shall we see if that particular rumor is true?” The hand gripping Remy’s tightened. Flames shot across her palm, burning her skin.

  Remy yelped and ripped her arm away; instantaneous blisters formed on her fingertips. Malina smirked, her eyes glowed like coal. Sebastian stepped between them, wrapping a protective arm around Remy’s shoulders. He brushed his lips lightly over her fingers; the pain ebbed. Within moments, the injury dissipated; Remy glanced at him in shock.

  He shrugged with a boyish smile. “It’s one of my gifts.”
<
br />   “It’s not his best gift,” insinuated Malina. She blew a kiss at Sebastian, who glared in return.

  “She is my guest, Malina. Hold your prejudices while on my family’s property or there will be consequences.” Fury raged across his face.

  Malina laughed hollowly. “What can you do to me, Bastian?” she taunted with a sway of her hips. “I am protected by my family name and the future promised me.”

  “Your mother does not determine who rules the clans, Malina; you are not named yet,” Sebastian rumbled menacingly.

  “There is no one as dark as I, Bastian. You know that,” she gave him a sultry wink. “I expect the issue to be resolved tonight.”

  “Why are you so certain?” asked Sebastian, suspiciously; his guarded tone worried Remy.

  “Mother had a vision,” Malina declared with a sneer. “I am sure your dear, old grandmother had the same vision, unless she is failing due to age.”

  Sebastian tilted his head and offered a small smile. “Was your face in her vision?”

  Malina paused, her confidence slightly shaken. She recovered quickly. “Of course not,” she scoffed, “but who else among us is ready? Cassandra? She can’t even pick a mate.”

  “And you already have one chosen?”

  “Yes, silly.” Malina batted her eyelashes at Sebastian.

  “We are not a match, Malina,” replied Sebastian, evenly.

  Malina’s eyes narrowed; they fixated on the barely visible mark in the center Remy’s throat. “There are ways around that, Bastian.” A dark smile graced Malina’s lips.

  “Even I know that practice is illegal in our society, Malina,” Rowen’s deep voice boomed from the hallway. Cassie entered on his arm, her gray eyes darkened with wrath.

  “Malina,” she snarled. “It is never a pleasure to see you.”

  Malina laughed. “Cassie, you are such a drama queen,” she paused and tilted her head, smiling sweetly. “Well, you’re not a queen.”

  Remy bristled at Malina’s taunt. Sensing Remy’s unease, Sebastian slipped his hand around hers, squeezing it once. She peeked up at him; he winked. The covert gesture did not escape Malina.